SAN DIEGO -- The first PGA Tour meeting on a proposed rule for long putters made only one thing clear to commissioner Tim Finchem. There's still a long way to go to decide what the tour will do, and it figures to be messy.

KAPALUA, Hawaii -- Carl Pettersson says the proposed rule to ban the anchored stroke for long putters feels like a ''witch hunt,'' and that golf's governing bodies were only reacting to three of the last five major champions using a belly putter.

The putt was meaningless because it was the final hole of a pro-am in what amounts to an 18-man exhibition at the end of the year, even though ranking points were available at Tiger Woods’ World Challenge earlier this month.

Rory McIlroy's decision to pursue a lucrative equipment deal was in place long before he grabbed a Nike golf club from Tiger Woods during their exhibition match in China last fall and took a few practice swings.

SHENZHEN, China -- Keegan Bradley and Ernie Els have become the latest players to voice their concern about a rumored ban on long putters, insisting they will contest any attempt to enforce such legislation.

AKRON, Ohio -- The USGA and R&A are looking into long putters and belly putters, focusing mainly on anchoring the putter to the body and whether any decision should fall under the rules of golf or an equipment ruling.

With the season's first major in the books and golf season now in - ahem - full swing throughout the country, the need for having the right equipment to optimize your golf game is more critical than ever.

With the season's first major in the books and golf season now in - ahem - full swing throughout the country, the need for having the right equipment to optimize your golf game is more critical than ever.